Hurricane Irma, Flooding, and Climate Change

Weeks after Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma is ravaging communities across the Southeast. Unfortunately, this is consistent with the impacts expected from climate change and will be the new normal that we must adapt to.

Two weeks ago, Hurricane Harvey devastated Texas with record flooding. Now, storm surge and rains from Hurricane Irma are ravaging communities across the Southeast.

We may not know the full impact for days. But we do know the damage will be severe and lives will be forever changed.

Irma makes 2017 the third year in a row that the lives of people in the Carolinas have been turned upside down by hurricanes. More than 75 dams failed in the Carolinas as a result of the 2015 and 2016 storms, and record flood levels were exceeded at many creeks and rivers.

[clickToTweet tweet=”Weeks after Harvey, Hurricane Irma is ravaging communities across the Southeast with the new normal.” quote=”Weeks after Harvey, Hurricane Irma is ravaging communities across the Southeast with the new normal.”]

Unfortunately, this is consistent with the impacts expected from climate change and will be the new normal that we must adapt to. With increasing temperatures we get more evaporation adding more moisture to the atmosphere. Catastrophic weather events result when increases in temperature and moisture seek to reach equilibrium.

There is a lot of work to do. But right now, American Rivers encourages our supporters to help with the relief and recovery efforts. Our neighbors need help. We are grateful to all of the volunteers and first responders. Learn how you can help the victims of Hurricane Irma here.

7 responses to “Hurricane Irma, Flooding, and Climate Change”

My nanny came up because of this hurricane i barley hit her as bad as it said it was i was hoping for her to stay longer but i didnt so she went back right after the hurricane and i was sad so i really didnt like hurricane maria there was no flooding once so ever just a few branches

I’m a student doing a project on hurricane relief and would love to hear about anyone’s experience living in a hurricane affected area- the goal is to use this research to create a product or system to improve the experience of being in a disaster-affected area. If you know anyone that would be willing to talk about their experience as well, please forward this along. Thanks!

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Although it is important that we continue helping flood victims with our donations, we should also encourage our government flood-relief agencies and private flood insurance/relief agencies to provide EXTRA financial incentive for flood victims to move OUT OF riverside floodplains….and/or rebuild on elevated stilts/pylons…..IF they choose to rebuild in riverside floodplains and river deltas…..which naturally flood when snows melt and heavy rains come in the spring. (or when freak flooding occurs).

This will create a PERMANENT solution to our regular and ongoing flooding issues…which will save insurance companies and federal government flood-relief agencies hundreds of billions of dollars in ongoing flood relief payments year after year.

Various indigenous/native tribes around the world have lived successfully in riverside floodplains and river deltas for thousands of years by building on elevated stilts/pylons. Surely we can adapt such practices here in America…..with our advanced levels of wealth and technology.